Could what happened to communications in Egypt this past week happen here in the USA? Last week, in an attempt to censor communications in their country, Egypt’s government shut down the use of Facebook and Twitter. Eventually they shut down the Internet altogether in the country as well as all mobile phone communications. In light of the wide spread protests in the capital of Egypt, Cairo, and the rest of the country, pulling the plug on all communications is not only censorship, it is the sign of a dictatorship that does not care what happens to it’s people. Very disconcerting to me.
You might not think that this is a big deal, but millions of people lost communication with not only the outside world, but with their families and loved ones. You might only think that this is possible in a second or third world country governed by a dictatorship or other ‘ruling class.’ Here is the problem with this thinking. First, last year in his infinite wisdom, Joe Lieberman introduced a bill for an “Internet Kill Switch.” Yes, it’s true. I didn’t even know this was the case. I know the government still has control over the Internet, and I didn’t expect our government to introduce a bill that violates our first amendment right to free speech.
Here is an article on Fast Company which outlines more: http://goo.gl/JCkDT
I would love to know your comments on this. To me it reinforces what you should know about communications and how you should reinforce your (my) own communications plans if the SHTF the way it has in Egypt.
Crazy indeed. I find it more interesting how ordinary people are handling what amounts to a SHTF situation. Imagine a revolution? OK, so the police have disappeared, thousands of inmates have been busted out of jail, and there is massive looting and violence — especially @ night. People are banding together to protect themselves! Nice to see. People are starting to hoard food and water, and I imagine food riots will begin soon.
Aside from the internet issue, put yourself in the shoes of the average Joe living in Cairo. SHTF indeed.
Lets just hope Egypt doesn’t go the way of Iran when the dust has settled.
Almost surely it will. 🙁
Can it happen? Sure it can!
But think about how awful the situation in the country would have to be for it to be done.
There are literally hundreds of thousands of people and businesses that use the net every day for business generating hundreds of millions of dollars$$ in transactions daily. If the net were shut down that would CRASH the American economy on the spot.
Yes, it is happening in Egypt. If it happens here, it’ll be far more… interesting, shall we say. We are more used to having it easy every day and we’ll not fare well when that all goes away.
We keep walkie talkies available, but it’s really just me and my wife here. We live and work at home and travel very little unless it’s a business trip, when we go away together for a week or so.
I really don’t know what we’d do if the internet and cell phones were shut down. I know I’d get home ASAP. I keep 100 gallons of diesel in a transfer tank on the truck when we travel and never go farther away than the range provided by that.
In our rural location, it would be a while before anything bad filtered out our way, but getting back home might be interesting.
Like many others, I have FRS/GMRS radios, but I want something a bit more powerful… I have ordered, but not opened a ham radio training manual, but am also going to purchase a portable CB with rechargeable batteries. I think the number of CBs still in use today is underestimated. This is just a guess, of course, but I do know many who drive trucks that still depend on them for communications with others on the road. Personally, those with CBs will be an invaluable asset during a SHTF.
Ham and Shortwave are fine to me if you are in a base station or have a powerful mobile unit, and will be like turning on your radio in your home to listen for the news “on the street” in my opinion… Not discounting it, just making an observation…
You can still get a ham/short wave receiver.
BTW, don’t forget that cell phones can easily be shut down (or jammed) during an emergency.
During the 2008 Mumbai, India terrorist attacks it was reported the terrorists used cell phones to detonate the bombs. If such were detected here it would be logical for cell service to be shut off. Who knows when it would be re-established!
(Wouldn’t be surprised to find a permit and/or background check needed to buy a cell phone after such an event too.)
That is a good point… Had not thought about that, but it makes sense.